Page 42 of Veil of Shadows

“Yours?” the king arched an eyebrow in amusement, but then his mouth tightened when Jax’s expression didn’t relent. “Surely, she doesn’t wish to live in Stonewild. Faewood is her home.”

The prince’s expression turned into unrelenting stone. “No, she won’t be living in Faewood. Elowen’s mine now.”

“But, she’s?—”

“King Paevin,” I said in a rush, “I’m honored that you went to such endeavors to try to ensure my safety, but I can assure you that I’m perfectly safe now that I’m in Stonewild and free of the Dark Raider, and I can assure you that I’m most content even if it’s a new kingdom.” I gazed up at the prince and pulled my bottom lip suggestively into my mouth. “The prince has become more than just my guardian. I’m very happy to stay with him.”

A satisfied grin emerged on Jax’s face, his earlier ire vanishing. He leaned down and kissed my neck, and his scent clouded around me.

My entire body shivered, and I just hoped Jax didn’t know that such a response wasn’t an act.

The crown prince placed another kiss on my neck, his lips lingering before he lifted his head, almost regretfully.

Heart pounding, I somehow managed to understand the prince’s next words.

“The feeling’s mutual, as you can see, Your Majesty.” His voice was slightly husky, his eyes hooded when he looked at me. “No price could tear her from my side.” His grip around my waist tightened. “Lady Elowen is absolutely fine and perfectly content to stay mine.” The weight of his words hung in the air as his attention stayed locked on my face. “I consider myself very lucky to have acquired such a treasure. I can understand your envy however, Your Majesty, but I do hope you will respect our common law.”

The king’s jaw muscle began to tick. “But she was a lorafin ofmykingdom.”

“And now she’s a lorafin ofmine.” Jax’s gaze cut to the king. Malice dripped in Jax’s tone, and his immediate reply only made the king’s cheeks redden further. “As I said, I do hope you respect our common law.”

The king’s nostrils flared, and his eyes turned to beady slits. The energy around him grew, and the temperature in the room dropped. It grew so cold from his air elemental magic, that for a moment, I could see my breath.

My heartrate sped up, and I thought for certain the king was going to explode in a fit of rage. But some of the crimson color finally leeched from his skin. Another moment passed by, and the room warmed again.

Finally, the king dipped his head, even if the movement looked forced. “Very well, but if you should ever tire of her, I do hope you shall give me precedence to buy her back.”

I stiffened, and the heat from Jax’s side climbed. “I shall indeed keep that in mind.”

A warring emotion passed between the two royals, and I held my breath as I waited to see if the king would do anything else.

Thankfully, he didn’t and instead gestured to the sofas. “Please sit,” he said stiffly.

Plenty of sweets and savories still waited on the tray sitting on the table. The king snapped his fingers at the servants in the corner. “Bring my finest port.”

The wildlings bowed and rushed to do his bidding.

We spentthe next hour with the king, engaging in pleasantries and a few political discussions. The entire time, Jax kept me close, his arm locked around my waist. His fingers continually ran up and down my side, brushing the bottom of my breast at times. His skimming motions were entirely distracting and embarrassingly arousing. One would never guess that internally he was probably raging that we were wasting so much time here versus searching for Bastian. But the prince was a master at deception. Outwardly, he seemed perfectly content to engage in conversation while driving me mad with lust.

Several times, I completely lost track of what was being discussed. Jax’s fingers and the hardness from his thigh commanded all of my attention, and I had to remind myself that even if he did desire me, this was still an act.

Thankfully, nobody seemed interested in a caged lorafin’s opinion anyway, not even when Jax tried to pull me into the discussion, asking my thoughts and feelings about matters. Each time he did, I opened my mouth to reply, my mind scrambling with what they’d recently said, but it was all for naught. The king merely waved his hand dismissively and stated such things were best kept between the males.

I bristled inwardly at that, even though I wasn’t surprised.

After the necessary formalities of a royal visiting another kingdom were completed, King Paevin finally stood. “Well, I’m sure you’re eager to be on your way.”

If you only knew.I pushed to standing, and Jax’s fingers curled into my side, heat filling his aura.

The king waved toward the door. “Enjoy the Matches, and do let me know if you need anything during your stay.”

Jax bowed. “Thank you, Your Majesty. I appreciate your generosity, but we shall try not to be a burden. We’ll be staying at my private residence in Leafton.”

The king grunted. “As you wish.”

The others bowed as well, and I somehow managed a curtsy.

“Elowen?” Jax gestured toward the door, keeping his arm firmly anchored around me.

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